SRC-LBB, LBB C.S.S.B. 249 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 249
78R11018 JTS-FBy: Janek
Infrastructure Development and Security
4/8/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no procedure for allowing certain vehicles priority in
boarding the GalvestonPort Bolivar ferry.  The Bolivar Peninsula has seen
an increase in tourist traffic and prolonged waiting periods for passage
onto the Bolivar ferry.   C.S.S.B. 249 allows priority boarding on the
ferry to and from the Bolivar Peninsula  for the owner of a motor vehicle
who obtains a ferry sticker.  Vehicles with the required sticker will be
given priority in boarding the ferry only until the ferry reaches 50
percent of its vehicle capacity. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of
Transportation in SECTION 1(Section 342.004, Transportation Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 342A, Transportation Code, by adding Section
342.004, as follows: 

Sec.  342.004.  GALVESTON-PORT BOLIVAR FERRY VEHICLE STICKER.  (a)
Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to adopt rules
to establish a system under which an owner of a motor vehicle registered
under Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles) applies for a vehicle sticker
from TxDot that entitles the vehicle to have priority in boarding the
Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry. 

(b)  Requires any rules adopted under this section to address certain
items regarding the vehicle sticker. 

SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Amends As Filed S.B. 249, by amending Chapter 342A, rather
than adding Subchapter G to Chapter 342, Transportation Code.  Amends
Chapter 342A by adding Section 342.004 relating to a vehicle sticker for
the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry. 

SECTION 2.  No changes.